Determination of Corrosion rates and remaining life of ...

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395 -0056

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Determination of Corrosion rates and remaining life of piping using API and ASME standards in oil and gas industries

Nibin V Baby1, Mr. Bibhudatta Paricha2, Dr. Shailendra J. Naik3

1ME 2nd year, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune, India 2Assistant Inspection Manager at BPCL, Mumbai

3Associate Professor, Department of Petroleum Engineering, Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune, India

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Abstract ? Process piping play an extremely important role

in Petroleum refineries throughout the world as a means for carrying Hydrocarbons from one location to other. These

a continuous process, but by adopting proper control and mitigation measures, its impact could be reduced to a great extent thereby saving a lot of revenue. [1]

process piping are subjected to Corrosion over a period of operational time, which is the destructive attack of material by reaction with its service fluids containing corrodents such as Sulphur, H2S, HCl, CO2, organic and inorganic acids and external environments thus causing a natural potential hazard associated with oil and gas transportation facilities.

On 30th June, 2014 there was an explosion of the gas pipeline at Nagaram village in East Godavari district of Andra Pradesh, India. The Gas Authority of India (GAIL) alleged that the presence of sulphur, carbon dioxide and water in the pipeline indicates that the petroleum products supplied by the oil companies were not properly refined and has resulted

Various potential damage mechanisms are identified for preheated crude inlet piping to atmospheric distillation column using American Petroleum Institute standards such as API 581 and API 571. These damage mechanisms consist mainly of High Temperature Sulfidic and Naphthenic acid corrosion. Corrosion rates for this damage mechanism is identified for two crudes namely Kuwait crude and Arab Extra Light Crude using API 581. Retirement thickness for this piping is calculated using ASME B 31.3. Further remaining life of this piping is estimated using corrosion rate, present thickness and

in corrosion of the pipeline used by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Cairn Energy. According to the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), there was "no evidence of any efforts" by the organisation to enforce the utilisation of a Gas Dehydration Unit to remove water and liquids that lead to the pipeline corrosion. This caused a huge loss in life and property. These incidents reflect the importance of corrosion prevention and the measures that should be taken to reduce the rate of corrosion. [2]

retirement thickness of the piping.

Key Words: Process piping, Corrosion rate, Retirement thickness, remaining life estimation, API standards, ASME standards.

1. INTRODUCTION

The transportation of oil and gas from the reservoir to the processing facilities by pipelines and piping has played a vital part in the growth of petroleum industry. Over a period of operational time, it is quite natural that these pipelines and piping are subjected to Corrosion, which is the destructive attack of material by reaction with its service fluids containing corrodents such as Sulphur, H2S, HCl, CO2, organic and inorganic acids and external environments, causing a potential hazard associated with oil and gas transportation facilities. This is one of the primary factors affecting the longevity and reliability of the pipelines and piping that transport crudes. Several measures were taken to reduce the presence of these corrodents in order to reduce the corrosion effects on these piping, pipelines. It is not possible to completely remove the effects of corrosion as it is

2. PROJECT WORK DESCRIPTION

The expected corrosion rate and remaining life of preheated crude inlet piping to the atmospheric distillation column of a refinery is estimated using the API 581 and API 571 standards. These examinations are carried out for two different crudes namely Kuwait crude (sour crude) and Arab Extra Light (sweet crude). The results, comparison and conclusion are given at the end of the case study.

2.1 Pathway of crude in a refinery

After the crude is received at the refinery, it is stored in large tanks in tank farm. This is then mixed with water inline upstream with desalter vessel to dissolve the salts contained in the crude oil, as these have to be removed from the crude oil to mitigate vessel and piping fouling and corrosion as well as poisoning of downstream catalysts.

The desalted crude is then preheated by several heat exchangers and by a fired heater. The preheating raises the crude temperature to 340-380oC. This preheated crude is then transferred via preheated crude inlet piping to the atmospheric distillation column. Here various components such as Heavy Naphtha, Light kero, Heavy kero etc are

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separated based on their boiling points and are distributed for further downstream processing and conversion.

Piping: Preheated crude inlet piping to ADU Material of construction: A335 GradeP5, 5% Cr-0.5Mo Alloy Steel Max. Operating Temperature: 327oC

Fig -2.1a: Atmospheric distillation Unit (ADU)

with the operational personnel lead to the confirmation of the type of corrosion being the same.

High temperature Sulfidic corrosion is a type of uniform corrosion which occurs when the given operating conditions are above 204oC followed by the presence of sulphur in the crude. This corrosion often occurs with naphthenic acid corrosion and is localized.

Total Acid Number (TAN) is a measurement of acidity that is determined by the amount of potassium hydroxide in milligrams that is needed to neutralize the acids in one gram of oil

Table -1: Requirements to determine High temperature

Sulfidic/naphthenic acid corrosion

Basic Data

Comments

Material of construction

Identify the piping material

Determine the maximum

Maximum Temperature (oC)

temperature stream

of

process

Determine the sulphur

Sulphur stream

content

of

the

content of the stream. If not known consult process engineer for an estimate

Total Acid Number (TAN)= mg KOH/g oil sample

Determine the TAN of the stream. If not known consult process engineer for an estimate

Above data are obtained from test run reports and by consulting a knowledgeable process engineer. These data varies from crude to crude, operational plant conditions etc.

Flowchart -1: Step by step procedure for determining corrosion rate

START

Fig -2.1b: ADU connected piping

(Picture courtesy: BPCL)

2.2 Determination of probable damage mechanism and estimation of the corrosion rate [4, 5]

The probable damage mechanism for the preheated crude inlet piping is determined using the risk-based resource document API 581. Screening questions for High temperature Sulfidic/Naphthenic acid corrosion matches with given piping conditions. The presence of sulphur compounds in the crude, the operating condition of 327o C for the preheated crude inlet piping and further discussions

Material of piping Max Temp

DETERMINE CORROSION

RATE

Sulphur conc. TAN

Velocity 0.2

Y

--

Z

2.5 (X2)

>0.2

0.51

0.89

(Y2)

(Z2)

Remaining Life of the pipeline is estimated using the data's such as Corrosion Rate, Present thickness and retirement thickness. Actual thickness of the pipeline is directly obtained using Ultra Sonic Technique. We have the formula to calculate the remaining life as

We have the general interpolation formula as Y= Y1+ (X-X1)*(Y2-Y1)/(X2-X1), Applying these to get the values of Y and Z

Y = 0.51+ (2.487-1.5)*(0.51-0.51)/(2.5-1.5) = 0.51 mm/y

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Z = 0.76+ (2.487-1.5)*(0.89-0.76)/(2.5-1.5) = 0.88 mm/y

Table -4: General interpolation results for Kuwait crude in

Pre heated Crude Inlet piping

Corrosion rates (Cr) mm/y at various

Sulphur (wt

Temperature oC

%)

357 oC (M1) 372 oC (M) 385 oC (M2)

1.5

0.51

0.76

2.487

0.51 (N1)

N

0.88 (N2)

2.5

0.51

0.89

Once again using the general interpolation formula, N = N1 + (M-M1)*(N2-N1)/ (M2-M1) N = 0.51 + (372-357)(0.88-0.51)/(385-357) = 0.7082 mm/y

Corrosion rate is estimated to be 0.7082 mm/y from interpolating the values in the table.

(ii) For 100% Arab Extra Light with 1.33 wt% Sulphur

Table -5: High Temperature Sulfidic and Naphthenic Acid

Corrosion ? Estimated Corrosion Rates for 5Cr-0.5Mo

(mm/y) for Arab Extra Light Crude in Pre heated Crude Inlet

piping

Sulphur

Corrosion Rate (Cr) mm/y at

TAN

various

(wt %)

(mg/g)

Temperature (oC)

357 oC 372 oC 385 oC

0.75 (X1)

>0.2

0.38

0.58

(Y1)

(Z1)

1.33 (X)

>0.2

Y

--

Z

1.5 (X2)

>0.2

0.51

0.76

(Y1)

(Z1)

We have the general interpolation formula as

Y= Y1+ (X-X1)*(Y2-Y1)/(X2-X1),

Applying these to get the values of Y and Z

Y = 0.38+ (1.33-0.75)*(0.51-0.38)/(1.5-0.75) = 0.48 mm/y

Z = 0.58+ (1.33-0.75)*(0.76-0.58)/(1.5-0.75) = 0.719 mm/y

Table -6: General interpolation results for Arab Extra

Light Crude in Preheated Crude Inlet piping

Corrosion rates (Cr) mm/y at various

Sulphur (wt

Temperature oC

%)

357 oC (M) 372 oC (M) 385 oC (M)

0.75

0.38

0.58

1.33

0.48 (N)

N

0.719 (N)

1.5

0.51

0.76

Once again using the general interpolation formula,

N = N1 + (M-M1)*(N2-N1)/ (M2-M1) N = 0.48 + (372-357)(0.719-0.48)/(385-357)

= 0.608 mm/y

Corrosion rate is estimated to be 0.608 mm/y from interpolating the values in the table.

3.2 RETIREMENT THICKNESS CALCULATION

3.2.1 Pressure design thickness

To determine the required thickness of straight pipe subjected to internal pressure. We have the formula, t = PD/2(SEW + PY) Where,

t = Pressure design thickness for internal pressure, in millimeters

P = Internal design gauge pressure of the pipe, in kilopascals

D = Outside diameter of the pipe, in millimeters S = Allowable unit stress at the design temperature, in kilopascals

E = Longitudinal quality factor (1) W = Weld Joint strength reduction factor (1) Y = Coefficient whose value is 0.4 for Temp< 492 C

The Allowable unit stress at the design temperature is obtained by referring the ASME B 31.3-2012 Edition. The readings are as follows

Table -7: Summary of Line Internal Design Gauge

Pressure P (KPa), Out Diameter D (mm) and Allowable

Unit Stress S at Design Temperature*1000 (KPa)* (*ref

5.2.1)

Internal Outer

Design Allowable

Line Design

Dia D

TempoC

Unit

Gauge

(mm)

Stress

Pressure

S*1000

P (KPa)

(KPa)

Prehea

ted

Crude 588.399 864

390

110

inlet

piping

Appling these values to the formula, 1) Preheated Crude Inlet Line

t = PD/ 2 (SEW + PY) = 588.399*864/2*(110.2*1000+ 588.399*0.4)

= 2.30 mm

3.2.2 Minimum structural thickness

Based on API 574, Minimum structural thickness for all the inlets and outlets piping having NPS in the range 6-18 and 20-24 are taken as 2.8 and 3.1 respectively

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3.2.3 Retiring thickness of the piping

Maximum thickness on comparison with Design Pressure thickness and Minimum Structural Thickness along with added manufactures tolerance is taken into consideration while estimating the Remaining Life Calculation.

Table -8: Summary of Retiring Thickness (Trequired)

Line

Retiring Thickness

(Trequired)

Preheated Crude Inlet

piping

3.487

3.3 REMAINING LIFE CALCULATION

Retiring Life of the pipeline is estimated using the data's such as Corrosion Rate, Present thickness and retirement thickness. Actual thickness of the pipeline is directly obtained using Ultra Sonic Technique. We have the formula to calculate the remaining life as Lr =( Tactual ? Trequired ) / Cr

(i) For Kuwait Crude Oil

Table -9: Review of Corrosion rate Cr (mm), Actual thickness Ta (mm) And Retiring thickness Tr(mm)

Line

Cr (mm)

Tactual (mm)

Trequired (mm)

Preheated

Crude inlet

0.7082

12

3.487

piping

Applying the formula, we get the estimated life in years as

1) Preheated Crude Inlet piping Lr = Tactual ? Trequired ) / Cr = (12-3.487)/0.7082 = 12.02 years

(ii) For Arab Extra Light

Table -10: Review of Corrosion rate Cr (mm), Actual

thickness Ta (mm) And Retiring thickness Tr(mm)

Line

Cr (mm)

Ta (mm)

Tr (mm)

Preheated

Crude inlet

0.608

12

3.487

piping

Applying the formula, we get the estimated life in years as

1)

Preheated Crude Inlet piping

Lr = (Tactual ? Trequire ) / Cr = (12-3.487)/0.608

= 14.49 years

4. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Table- 11: Results and conclusion

Probab

Line

Material Of const

le damag e

Cr (mm/y) C1 C2

mech.

Preheated A335 High

Crude

GradeP temp

inlet

5, 5% sulphidi

piping

Cr-

c and

0.5Mo naphthe 0.7 0.6

Alloy

nic acid

Steel

corrosio

n

Lr (years)

C1

C2

12 14.4

This project clearly identifies the variation of corrosion with the difference in sulphur in the two types of crude namely Kuwait and Arab extra light crude. From the table above it can be identified that corrosion would be more for piping of the crude used is 100% Kuwait crude in comparison with Arab Extra Light crude. However in refineries in order to tackle this issue, blend crudes are used. Corrosion and its effects cannot be completely taken care of but proper adoption of design, selection of material, Mitigation and control measures, corrosion allowances can reduce the adverse impacts to a great extent.

Coating the words of Trevor Place"A simplifed analogy for pipe corrosion is tooth decay...If you brush regularly; you probably won't have many problems with your teeth. Similarly, if you sweep your pipeline clean of potential corrodents, you won't have many problems with corrosion."

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I, Nibin V Baby would like to thank all my faculties, staff and friends of Petroleum Department of MIT, Pune for all the help and aid they have given me for the completion of my work I would also like to that the officials and staff of Learning and Inspection Department of BPCL, Mahul for their inspiration and helping hands towards the contribution of this work.

REFERENCES

[1] Nile D. Coble, "Corrosion Philosophy: Treat the source, not the symptom", Paper No. 02480, NACE International, 2002

[2] The Hindu Newspaper report on Pipeline Gas explosion on 30th June, 2014 at Nagaram village in East Godavari district of Andra Pradesh, India.

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